by D. Camille
“I can get you on some bigger tours, where you’re not the last name on the ticket,” John promised. “I can make you a household name with the ladies, and no one has to know how you got there.”
“How do I get there?” Xavier sat back and stared at the man.
John grabbed his crotch. “You can start right here.”
Xavier lifted a brow. “That’s where you start ‘em?”
“Then they can move up…”
“If they say no, then what?” Xavier asked.
John removed his hand. “Then I watch them fall by the wayside and wait for the next one.”
“That’s nasty as fuck.” Xavier said harshly.
“To some…” John replied. “And if it’s your first time, I see how you can think so…”
Xavier shook his head. “Nah, what’s nasty as fuck is trying to force somebody into some shit like that to get ahead...”
“It’s the game that’s played.”
“You seem real comfortable wit’ it.”
John laughed. “I’m not just in this for the money, I enjoy the perks.”
Xavier stood. “I was going to kick your ass right here, right now…but I think you have some valuable information for me.”
John frowned as Xavier switched out of his X-Ception role, and now sounded like a seasoned killer.
“What kind of information?” John asked warily.
“The kind you won’t give voluntarily.”
John watched as Xavier walked to the door. “Im’ma hit you up later, my nigga.” Xavier resumed the X-Ception, and walked out the door.
Stepping out into the hall, Xavier saw Six waiting.
“Are you good?” Six asked.
“We’ll be back for this one.” Xavier told him, angrily heading to the elevator.
The doors opened and one of the younger rappers, stepped into the hall.
“The X-Ception!” He smiled. “What’s up, my nigga! I saw yo' performance today. That shit was fire!”
Xavier nodded. “Thanks, that’s what’s up! What you doing up here?”
The young man grinned. “Hookin’ up with Mr. Brown, tryin’ to get on…like you.”
Six looked at Xavier.
“Mr. Brown gonna be tied up, but ya know what?” Xavier told him, leading him back to the elevator. “Im’ma hook you up with somebody that I know.”
“For real?” The young man’s eyes lit up.
The three entered the elevator car. “I got you.” Xavier told him. “Don’t even fuck with Mr. Brown.”
“He counterfeit?” he asked Xavier.
“Yeah, and he about to be out of circulation,” Xavier answered.
Chapter 10
Lilac and Jade ended their monitoring and rushed across the hall to Skye and Diamond’s suite. When Diamond answered the door and saw their faces, she became alarmed.
“What’s happened? Is Xavier alright?” she asked impatiently.
The young women came inside and Skye came to meet them.
“We have trouble,” Jade told her sister.
“What the hell happened, Jade?” Diamond demanded.
Lilac sat down. “John Brown propositioned my brother and now he’s ready to handle him.”
“After he gets his information,” Jade added.
Diamond’s eyes widened. “Propositioned him?”
Lilac nodded with a deep frown. “He wanted him to do some nasty things.”
“The Gods!” Diamond put a hand to her mouth. “What did Xavier do?”
“He told him he’d be back…” Jade answered. “And he was on ten, when he left that room.”
Diamond looked at them. “Where is he now?”
“Xavier, Six and Justice are all in their own suites, preparing for tonight.” Lilac informed her.
Skye looked confused. “What’s going on tonight?”
“Xavier says that we’re performing the ritual…” Lilac answered, slowly.
“All of us?” Diamond asked and Jade agreed.
Lilac turned to Skye’s stunned face. “We’re going to need to get some information from him.”
“I’m ready,” Skye agreed, quietly.
“And I’m handling the pharmaceuticals,” Lilac added.
Diamond put a hand to her head. “Xavier is serious about this?”
Lilac nodded.
“And Six agreed?” Skye questioned.
Jade answered. “Yes, he told us to get everything ready.”
Diamond took a chair. “I didn’t think we’d be this far, so soon.”
“This guy is a serial predator, Diamond. He has to be handled…” Jade told her sister.
“Then let’s do it.” Diamond agreed. “Especially if he has his sights on Xavier.”
Skye looked at Diamond, then said, “Diamond, we’re all family here…so can I ask you something?”
All the women looked at Skye.
“Of course Skye,”
“Is there something going on between you and Xavier?”
Both Jade and Lilac looked at Diamond in anticipation of her response. Diamond lowered her hands into her face and sighed, while the women looked on.
Finally, she lifted her head. “Yes,”
“What the hell?” Jade yelled, jumping to her feet. “You and Xavier?”
“Girl, sit your ass down.” Diamond ordered.
Lilac studied Diamond. “I can’t read minds like the twins, but I knew that Xavier had feelings for you. I never thought that you returned those feelings.”
Diamond looked away. “I didn’t want to…but Xavier is an incredible man.”
“You’re damn right, he is…” Lilac told her, firmly. “And he deserves someone who appreciates that…”
“You don’t think I appreciate Xavier?” Diamond questioned, lifting a brow.
Jade and Skye shared a look between the two women.
“I’ve never seen you even give the smallest impression that you care for my brother. He’d pick you up from the airport and then you’d act like he was contagious or something.” Lilac accused.
Jade said under her breath, “Oh, shit…”
Diamond’s eyes narrowed at Lilac. “First of all Lilac, what did or did not happen between me and Xavier is between us. I had my reasons for avoiding him when I visited.”
Lilac stood. “You may be the oldest, Diamond, but I won’t let you hurt my brother. I’m trained in all the skills, too.”
Diamond stood and Skye began to call on the Universe.
“Are you threatening me, Lilac?”
“I’m telling you, that you’re not going to mistreat my brother.” Lilac said slowly.
Frowning, Diamond asked, “Why would I do that?”
“Because you always have gotten your way,” Lilac told her. “You’ve always done whatever you wanted, regardless of everybody else.”
Jade looked at Lilac. “Hey, Lilac…”
Diamond put up a hand to her sister. “No Jade, this is my conversation.” She stared at Lilac. “You really think that I would hurt Xavier? I’ve loved him all of his life, and I’m here to protect him with my own...if necessary.”
“He’s always loved you, too.” Lilac answered. “But if you’re going to jet off again after the mission or act like he doesn’t exist, then leave him alone.”
“I came back to him,” Diamond told her. “And no one will keep me away from Xavier…”
“Why doesn’t anyone know about you two? Why are you hiding it?” Lilac challenged.
Diamond folded her arms. “I don’t have to explain to you.”
Lilac shrugged. “You don’t…but if you hurt Xavier, I’m kicking your ass, Diamond Black.”
Both Jade and Skye got to their feet.
“Okay, let’s not go there.” Skye told them. “I’m sorry I asked the question.
Diamond looked at Skye. “It’s fine Skye.” She turned and picked up her bag from the sofa. “I’m going to see Xavier, before my meeting with Jason.”
They watched as
Diamond removed her necklace and placed it on the table before walking out of the door.
Skye then turned to Lilac. “Really?”
“I meant every word.” Lilac told her. “I’m going to prepare for the ritual.”
Jade and Skye watched her leave then turned to one another.
“If those two go head to head, I don’t want to be anywhere around,” Skye told Jade.
Shaking her head, Jade said, “Justice versus Xavier and Diamond versus Lilac.”
They looked at each other. “The Gods!”
******
Xavier opened the door for Diamond and saw the anger on her face. She rushed inside and he closed the door before, he hurried to catch her from behind.
“Diamond, what’s wrong?”
“I want to beat the shit out of your sister!”
Xavier paused, then turned her in his arms. “What? Why?”
“She threatened to kick my ass!”
“Lilac?”
Diamond broke away. “Yes, your sweet little sister, Lilac Jackson.”
“What happened?”
Plopping down on the sofa with her bag, Diamond looked up at him. “She thinks I’ve mistreated you and that I’m going to hurt you.”
Xavier came and sat next to her. “Tell me how this came about…”
Sitting back and closing her eyes, Diamond told him what had transpired in her suite with Lilac. When she opened her eyes again, he was staring down at her.
“Xavier, I’m sorry if you felt mistreated…I would never hurt you, intentionally.” Diamond apologized.
“Diamond, I knew that you were running from me,” Xavier said, quietly. “And, I knew that you were coming back to me. I didn’t feel mistreated and I don’t know where Lilac got that from, but I’ll make sure to talk to her.”
“She loves her brother, and I guess when I would avoid you, it did appear like I was being mean to you,” Diamond said, blinking her eyes at the dampness. “Lilac was right…sometimes I don’t always think about how my actions affect other people.”
Xavier touched her face. “I’m sorry that Lilac upset you.”
“She was really ready to throw the hands,”
“She is dangerous.”
Diamond frowned. “I’ve heard that.”
“Are you going to start avoiding me again, when we return to LA?” Xavier asked.
“No, you’re supposed to show me why we’re meant to be together, remember?” Diamond answered. “And I told Lilac that no one would keep me away from you.”
She placed her lips on his and kissed him softly, until there was a knock on his door. Xavier got up and answered, allowing his sister inside.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Xavier told her.
She nodded. “I knew that you’d want to see me.”
“Come and sit down.”
Xavier walked Lilac to where Diamond was sitting. He took his seat next to Diamond on the sofa, and looked at Lilac.
“Where should we begin?” Xavier asked the women.
“I shouldn’t have threatened you, Diamond.” Lilac told her.
Diamond nodded. “I’ve apologized to Xavier for my behavior when I came home for visits. I can see how you would interpret that as not being kind to him.”
“Lilac, I know that you’re trying to protect me, but I don’t want you trying to fight Diamond,” Xavier told her. “There’s no need…”
“Besides, I would never fight you Lilac. That’s against the rules.” Diamond added. “You’re like my little sister, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Diamond.” Lilac said quietly. “And I don’t want us to fight either…”
Diamond smiled. “Good, because I’d have to show you some things…”
“I already know them,” Lilac rebutted, with a smile of her own.
Xavier looked at both women. “I’m glad that we’ve gotten that straightened out. Are we ready for tonight, Lilac?”
Diamond looked at Xavier. “Did you really call for the ritual?”
He nodded. “This dude is a monster. There’s no telling how many young men he’s abused and he may know something about our organ trafficking. He needs to be handled before he has another victim.”
“Jade has the layout of the hotel and she’s mapped the route,” Lilac informed them.
“And you have what I requested?” Xavier asked Lilac.
She flushed. “Yes, Jade and I had to get it locally because I didn’t bring that particular one with me. With this crowd, it was pretty easy to find, and then I converted it to the formula that you asked for…”
“You were discrete?” he asked.
She gave him a look. “One of the dancers hooked us up. She thinks Jade and I are party girls.”
“A dancer, huh?” Diamond said, sliding a glance at Xavier.
“Yes, she knows Justice.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Justice and this damn dancer is getting on my nerves.”
“We need to watch her,” Lilac told Diamond. “She’s very attached to Justice, both Jade and I picked up on it.”
Xavier frowned. “He’s going to take his ass back to LA. We don’t need a stalker situation, right now.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Diamond told them. “I need to anyway, to tell him about us.”
Diamond looked at Xavier.
“Maybe you should wait until we get back?” Xavier suggested.
“No, I want to tell him before he somehow figures it out and loses his damn mind. I know how to handle Justice.” Diamond relayed. “And if he acts a fool, I’ll just have Jade kick his ass...”
******
A few hours later, Diamond exited her bedroom dressed for her date with Jason. She knew her role and what information she needed to extract from him. She’d dealt with men like Jason before, men who thought they could impress her with material things. Men who thought they could get her into bed with a few choice words over a nice meal.
Little did they know that Diamond Black wasn’t the one for the games. She’d had a father, a grandfather, several uncles, and men all around her, practically her entire life. Her Uncle Trent had schooled her to the game at a young age, since he was the youngest brother of the Black Diamonds and had been knocking them off left and right, as a young man.
Her parents had instilled in her the confidence to be her own woman and make her own choices, not being swayed by popular opinion or trends. Diamond was now a grown woman with a billion-dollar company behind her name. She could buy her own dinners, hell she could buy the damn restaurant, if she chose.
If she thought about it, there was very little, if anything, that a man could actually do for her, as far as material things. But one man did do something for her…Xavier. He had her ready to fight for him, and she knew that he was worth it.
He stood and smiled at her as she entered the room. “You look beautiful, goddess.”
“Thank you.”
Xavier frowned. “Almost too good.”
“Don’t start that.” She chuckled.
He held open his arms and she walked into them. Embracing her and inhaling her perfume, Xavier whispered in her ear. “If he touches you, he’s dead.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Xavier pulled back and looked down into her face. “I’ll be listening.”
“I know.”
There was a knock and she looked at him. “That’s Justice. Let me talk to him.”
“We can both talk to him.”
“Xavier…”
He turned and walked to the door, opening it for Diamond’s brother.
“What’s up Xavier,”
The two men gave a manshake. “What’s up Justice?”
Justice smiled. “Came to check on my Little Pretty Girl.”
“She’s inside,”
They found Diamond waiting with her arms folded.
“Look at you,” Justice teased her. “Looking like you’re going on a real ass date.”
“Sit down, Justice.”<
br />
He looked surprised. “What?”
“Sit down. I want to talk to you,” Diamond told him.
Justice looked from her to Xavier. “What’s up? What’s going on?”
“First, I want you to be careful with this little cutie dancer. She may be dangerous.” Diamond warned.
“What is she going to do to me? Twerk me to death?” he asked, laughing.
“Boy, will you be serious,” Diamond snapped.
Justice sighed. “Okay, Diamond. I’ll watch her, and make sure you watch old dude tonight.”
“Jason is not a problem.”
Xavier waited for Diamond to continue.
“Second,” she paused. “I want to tell you that Xavier and I have started…”
“Started what?” Justice asked, when she paused.
Diamond cleared her throat and went to stand in front of Xavier, anticipating Justice’s first move.
“I guess you can call it dating…” she finished.
“Dating who?”
Xavier frowned. “Each other, Justice…damn.”
Justice frowned. “You two are dating each other?”
Xavier moved from behind Diamond and when she tried to move in front of him again, he blocked her.
“I love Diamond and I always have. Now that she’s home, she’s chasing me until we can start our relationship,” Xavier explained and both Blacks frowned at him.
“I’m not chasing you!”
“She’s not dating you!”
Xavier looked over at Diamond. “Yes, you are.” Then he turned to Justice. “Yes, she is…”
Justice jumped to his feet. “You’re smashing my damn sister?”
“Justice…” Diamond warned.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Justice yelled.
“Justice…” she said again.
He glared at her. “Don’t keep saying my damn name!” Justice walked over to Xavier.
“Have you lost your damn mind?” Justice questioned one of his closest friends who was like a brother.
“I don’t want to fight you Justice, but if I have to…then I will.” Xavier told him.
“My sister? My damn sister?”
Diamond intervened. “Justice, I’m a grown woman.”
Justice swung at Xavier and the battle began.
“Justice!” Diamond yelled as the suite door opened. “Xavier!”
Skye and Six walked in and saw the two men in combat. Justice was a pro with the hands, but Xavier wasn’t a novice.